List of career achievements by Michael Johnson facts for kids

Michael Johnson is an amazing American track & field athlete. He was super dominant in his races, winning almost every time he competed. Michael set many world and Olympic records in short-distance running, both by himself and with his relay teams.

His control over the 400-meter race was incredible, making him one of the greatest 400m runners ever. For about ten years, Michael Johnson held world records in the 200 meters, 400 meters, and indoor 400 meters. He also had the world's best time in the 300 meters and the world record for the 4x400 meter relay. He still holds the world record for the 4x400 meter relay!

In 2004, Michael Johnson was added to the United States Track & Field Hall of Fame. At the ceremony, his record-breaking 200-meter race at the 1996 Summer Olympics was called the best track and field moment in 25 years. Many people think Michael Johnson is one of the greatest and most consistent sprinters in track and field history. He is the only athlete to run the 200 meters faster than 19.4 seconds and the 400 meters faster than 43.4 seconds.

Michael Johnson's Medals

Olympic Games Medals

Michael Johnson won several gold medals at the Olympic Games. Here's a look at his achievements:

Games	Event	Times	Result
1992 Barcelona	4 x 400 m relay	2:55.74 (44.73)	Gold
1996 Atlanta	200 m	19.32	Gold
1996 Atlanta	400 m	43.49	Gold
2000 Sydney	400 m	43.84	Gold
2000 Sydney	4 x 400 m relay	2:56.35 (44.29)	Disqualified

World Championships Medals

Michael Johnson also earned many gold medals at the World Championships.

Games	Event	Time	Result
1991 Tokyo	200 m	20.01	Gold
1993 Stuttgart	400 m	43.65	Gold
1993 Stuttgart	4 x 400 m relay	2:54.29 (42.91)	Gold
1995 Gothenburg	200 m	19.79	Gold
1995 Gothenburg	400 m	43.39	Gold
1995 Gothenburg	4 x 400 m relay	2:57.32 (44.11)	Gold
1997 Athens	400 m	44.12	Gold
1999 Seville	400 m	43.18	Gold

Awards and Recognition

Michael Johnson received many awards for his amazing career.

• IAAF World Athlete of the Year: 1996, 1999
• Men's Track & Field Athlete of the Year: 1990, 1996
• Jesse Owens Award: 1994, 1995, 1996
• Associated Press Athlete of the Year: 1996
• Best Male Track Athlete ESPY Award: 1994, 1996, 1997, 2000
• James E. Sullivan Award: 1996
• Jesse Owens International Trophy: 1996, 1997

How Michael Johnson Ranked in the World

This table shows how Michael Johnson was ranked among the best athletes in the world for the 200m and 400m races by Track & Field News.

Michael Johnson's Fastest Times

200 Meters Personal Bests

Michael Johnson set incredible times in the 200 meters. His fastest time was a world record!

Time (seconds)	Result	Date	Venue	Notes
19.32	1	August 1, 1996	Atlanta, GA, United States
19.66	1	June 23, 1996	Atlanta, GA, United States
19.79	1	August 11, 1995	Göteborg, Sweden

400 Meters Personal Bests

Michael Johnson was a master of the 400 meters. He ran this race in under 44 seconds 22 times!

Time (seconds)	Result	Date	Venue	Notes
43.18	1	August 26, 1999	Sevilla, Spain
43.39	1	August 9, 1995	Göteborg, Sweden
43.49	1	July 29, 1996	Atlanta, GA, United States

Indoor 400 Meters Personal Bests

Michael Johnson also set records for the 400 meters indoors.

Time (seconds)	Result	Date	Venue	Notes
44.63	1	March 4, 1995	Atlanta, GA, United States	1995 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships
44.97A	1	February 10, 1995	Reno, NV, United States	First athlete to break 45 seconds

300 Meters Personal Best

Michael Johnson also held the world's best time for the 300 meters.

4 by 400 Meters Relay Personal Bests

Michael Johnson was a key part of record-breaking relay teams.

Time (seconds)	Result	Date	Venue	Team	Legs	Notes
2:54.29 (42.91)	1	August 22, 1993	Stuttgart, Germany	United States	Andrew Valmon, Quincy Watts, Butch Reynolds, Michael Johnson	1993 World Championships Final. Fastest relay leg in history.
2:55.74 (44.73)	1	August 8, 1992	Barcelona, Spain	United States	Andrew Valmon, Quincy Watts, Michael Johnson, Steve Lewis	1992 Summer Olympics Final

Michael Johnson's Records

World Records Held by Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson held many world records during his career.

The 1993 4x400 meter U.S. relay team included Andrew Valmon, Quincy Watts, Butch Reynolds, and Michael Johnson. Michael Johnson ran the final part of the race in 42.91 seconds, which is the fastest 400 meters ever run by a human in a relay. This record still stands!

• Fastest 4 x 400 meter relay leg in history: Michael Johnson ran his leg in 42.91 seconds on August 22, 1993 in Stuttgart, Germany. No one else has broken 43 seconds in a relay leg except for Jeremy Wariner (42.93 seconds in 2007).
• Consecutive 400 meter finals won: Michael Johnson won 58 400m races in a row! This amazing streak ended in June 1997 when he finished fifth in Paris.
• Largest margin of victory in the 200 meters in 55 years (1991 World Championships): Michael Johnson won by 0.33 seconds. This was the biggest win since Jesse Owens in 1936.
• Largest margin of victory in the 200 meters in history (1996 Olympics): Michael Johnson won by 0.36 seconds, setting a world record of 19.32 seconds. This record was later broken by Usain Bolt.
• Largest improvement ever on a 200 m world record: Michael Johnson broke his own record by 0.34 seconds.
• Largest margin of victory in the 400 meters in history (1999 World Championships): Michael Johnson won by an incredible 1.11 seconds, setting a world record of 43.18 seconds.
• Only athlete ranked #1 in both 200 meters and 400 meters in the same year: He did this five times (1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996).
• First athlete to break 20 seconds in 200 meters and 44 seconds in 400 meters in a career.
• Only athlete to break 20 seconds in 200 meters and 44 seconds in 400 meters at the same meet: He first did this at the 1995 U.S. National Championships.
• First athlete to break 45 seconds in indoor 400 meters: He ran 44.97 seconds on February 10, 1995 in Reno, Nevada.
• Most gold medals won on the track: He won twelve gold medals (4 Olympics, 8 World Championships). Usain Bolt later broke this record.
• First athlete to win both 200 meters and 400 meters at U.S. National Championships (1995).

Olympic Records Held by Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson set several Olympic records.

The 1992 4x400 meter U.S. relay team included Andrew Valmon, Quincy Watts, Michael Johnson, and Steve Lewis. Michael Johnson ran the third leg in 44.73 seconds.

• Only man to win 200 meters and 400 meters at the same Olympics (1996 Atlanta).
• Only man to repeat as Olympic champion in 400 meters (1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney).

World Championships Records Held by Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson also set many records at the IAAF World Championships.

The 1993 4x400 meter U.S. relay team included Andrew Valmon, Quincy Watts, Butch Reynolds, and Michael Johnson. Michael Johnson ran the final part of the race in 42.91 seconds. This is the fastest 400 meters ever run by a human in a relay at the World Championships.

• Only athlete to win the 200 meters and 400 meters at the World Championships in a career (1991 Tokyo, 1993 Stuttgart).
• Only athlete to win the 200 meters and 400 meters at the same World Championships (1995 Gothenburg). This was a huge challenge, as it meant running nine races in nine days!
• Most gold medals won in World Championships history: He won eight gold medals, tying with Carl Lewis. This record was later broken by Usain Bolt.

Michael Johnson's Achievements

Here is a list of some of Michael Johnson's many achievements throughout his career.

Year	Meeting	Venue	Result	Event	Time
1989	USA Indoor Championships		2nd	Indoor 400 m
1989	NCAA Indoor Championships		1st	Indoor 200 m	20.59 AR
1990	?	Edinburgh, United Kingdom	1st	200 m	19.85 AC
1990	USA Indoor Championships		1st	Indoor 400 m	47.43
1990	USA Indoor Championships		1st	Indoor 200 m	20.72
1990	USA Outdoors Championships	Norwalk	1st	200 m	19.90
1990	NCAA Outdoors Championships	Durham	1st	200 m	20.31
1990	Goodwill Games	Seattle, United States	1st	200 m
1991	IAAF World Championships	Tokyo, Japan	1st	200 m	20.01
1991	USA Indoor Championships		1st	Indoor 400 m	46.70
1991	USA Outdoors Championships	New York City, United States	1st	200 m	20.31
1991	IAAF / Mobil Grand Prix Final	Barcelona, Spain	1st	200 m	19.88
1992	U.S. Olympic Trials	New Orleans, United States	1st	200 m	19.79
1992	Crystal Palace	London, United Kingdom	1st	400 m	43.98 AC
1992	1992 Summer Olympics	Barcelona, Spain	1st	4 x 400 m Relay	2:55.74 (3rd leg, 44.73)
1993	IAAF World Championships	Stuttgart, Germany	1st	4 x 400 m Relay	2:54.29 (4th leg, 42.91)
1993	IAAF World Championships	Stuttgart, Germany	1st	400 m	43.65 AC
1993	USA Outdoors Championships	Eugene, United States	1st	400 m	43.74
1993	IAAF / Mobil Grand Prix Final	London, United Kingdom	3rd	200 m
1994	Goodwill Games	St. Petersburg, Russia	1st	200 m	20.10 AC
1995	IAAF World Championships	Gothenburg, Sweden	1st	4 x 400 m Relay	2:57.32 AC (4th leg, 44.11)
1995	IAAF World Championships	Gothenburg, Sweden	1st	200 m	19.79
1995	IAAF World Championships	Gothenburg, Sweden	1st	400 m	43.39 AC
1995	?	Reno, United States	1st	Indoor 400 m	44.97
1995	USA Indoor Championships	Atlanta, Georgia	1st	Indoor 400 m	44.63
1995	USA Outdoors Championships		1st	200 m	19.83
1995	USA Outdoors Championships	Sacramento, United States	1st	400 m	43.66
1995	IAAF / Mobil Grand Prix Final	Monaco	1st	200 m	19.93
1996	Atlanta Grand Prix Final	Atlanta, United States	1st	200 m	19.83
1996	U.S. Olympic trials	Atlanta, United States	1st	400 m	43.44 US
1996	U.S. Olympic trials	Atlanta, United States	1st	200 m	19.66
1996	1996 Summer Olympics	Atlanta, United States	1st	400 m	43.49
1996	1996 Summer Olympics	Atlanta, United States	1st	200 m	19.32
1996	USA Indoor Championships		1st	Indoor 400 m	44.66
1996	IAAF / Mobil Grand Prix Final		1st	400 m
1997	IAAF World Championships	Athens, Greece	1st	400 m	44.12
1998	Goodwill Games	New York City, United States	1st	400 m	43.76
1998		Oslo, Norway	3rd	400 m	44.58
1999	IAAF World Championships	Seville, Spain	1st	4 x 400 m Relay	2:56.47 AC
1999	IAAF World Championships	Seville, Spain	1st	400 m	43.18
2000		Pietersburg, South Africa	1st	200 m	19.71 AC
2000		Pretoria, South Africa	1st	300 m	30.85 WB
2000		South Africa	1st	400 m	43.9
2000	U.S. Olympic Trials	Sacramento, United States	1st	400 m	43.68
2000	2000 Summer Olympics	Sydney, Australia	1st	400 m	43.84

• AR - American record
• AC - All-comers record; the fastest time ever run on the host nation's soil.
• US - The fastest time ever run on United States soil.